Named for things that please me (“me gusta” in Spanish) and rhymes with balabusta (Yiddish for “good homemaker”).

Caving to Kraut Craving

First you hear the thunder of the engine roaring in the distance as it approaches.

Then silence, except for a few human voices.

“Breek breek breek” as it backs up. “Plop plop plop” as green orbs drop from the truck into their next lives which will be as choucroute, or sauerkraut, the wonderful pickled cabbage beloved to lovers of Alsace, German, Polish and virtually any other Northern European cuisine.

While there are certainly more modern production facilities for it, the artisanal factory visited a number of years ago near Strasbourg, France, was efficient while using centuries old albeit mechanized, practices.

First the farmer’s crop is weighed (and judged for quality), then the outer leaves stripped off before the cabbage heads are washed, shredded, then transferred to giant vats to cure. The owner looked askance at these pesky American tourists until he realized that a) we were fascinated, b) asked good questions and c) genuinely loved his region and its wonderful cuisine, especially the famous “choucroute garni”.

My earliest memory of sauerkraut is that it was vile: sourness in a can, salty and acidic without much else going on. This may be adequate for garnishing a Reuben sandwich with lots of other flavors, but by itself, not appealing unless it’s some kind of comfort food that Oma (your German grandmother) used to make.

Then I discovered “choucroute garni” in Paris and became a convert for life. The kraut trick is that the pickled cabbage needs to be thoroughly rinsed to bring the acidity down, then cooked with other ingredients which, depending on the nationality of the dish you’re making, can include onions, garlic, chicken stock, beer, white wine, smoked pork or bacon, carrots, caraway, juniper berries, duck fat, a wide range of seasonings. And sausages and other goodies can simmer in it, adding additional flavor notes.

On a recent sojourn to Munich and Vienna, every serving of sauerkraut that appeared on my plate was different, some more acidic, some with the taste of browned onions in the background. They were all good, every single one.

A new stateside favorite for me is Polish sauerkraut soup, tasty and complex.

The best way to buy sauerkraut is fresh, from a barrel.

Fresh Sauerkraut at the Vienna Naschmarkt

Often the farmers’ market pickle vendor has a stash of irresistible fresh kraut. Unless entertaining a crowd, I’ll cook up a pot then add one or two garnishes per meal, perhaps a piece of kielbasa or other sausage, perhaps a smoked pork chop.

Freezing the leftovers is suboptimal, but considerably more efficient than getting back on the plane to Munich.

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4 thoughts on “Caving to Kraut Craving”

I grew up liking sauerkraut. It was a tradition in my mother’s family. Her grandparents kept a barrel in the cellar. We always had it for Thanksgiving (!?). Mom cooked it the day before to give the smell time to dissipate before guests arrived at the house. She always cooked it with a pig’s tail for flavor.

my mouth is watering…..this is one of my favorite standbys…..I like to add quartered apples and caraway seeds along with as many pork chops as mouths to feed…….potatoes if the pot can handle them…..onions! Yum!

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Hello from Mary Ellen!
It is mostly about one of life’s great pleasures - eating well – and travel experiences, particularly those involved with markets and dining. Occasionally there will be little tips, such as freezing pesto base (sans cheese) in tube shapes to facilitate cutting off individual portions in the future. “You should put things like that in your blog”, said one friend.
And, I’ll share some observations along the way. For example, what’s the difference between a Minnesota Fish Boil and La Truite du Lac Poche’, Garni au Beurre Fondu? The answer: Nothing and it is fabulous.
Buon appetito!